The role of partner support in promoting health and well-being among HIV positive men

Background:

The relationship between disease progression and mental health remains understudied among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). Many HIV-positive MSM experience poor mental health, which may result from the stress of living with a chronic illness. While studies of heterosexual populations suggested that supportive romantic partnerships may have a stress-buffering function, there has been scant work of this type looking at MSM. The current study examines if partner support is moderates the relationship between HIV disease progression and depression.

Methods:

Data were collected from an ethnically diverse sample of 100 HIV-positive MSM living in New York City. HIV disease progression was evaluated through self-reported CD4 count and viral load, as well as the physical well-being subscale of the Functional Assessment of HIV Infection (FAHI). Depression was assessed using the Center for Epidemiology Studies-Depression Inventory (CES-D). Items measuring relationship status (i.e., whether a participant was in a primary relationship or not) and quality (i.e., self-reported level of emotional closeness to a primary partner) were used to examine partner support. Regression analysis was conducted to examine relationships among key variables.

Results:

Results showed a significant relationship between disease progression and depression. Likewise, relationship status and quality were each significant predictors of depression. Preliminary evidence suggested that partner support moderated the relationship between disease progression and depression.

Conclusion:

Partner support appears to buffer the relationship between HIV disease progression and poor mental health among MSM. Future research using different methodologies is needed to further explain this relationship.